Early-Voting underway in Iroquois County; ballots available by mail

County Clerk Lisa Fancher announced you may now vote in person for the upcoming March 15, 2016 Primary Election at the County Clerk's Office or request a Vote By-Mail ballot application.

The deadline for receiving completed signed applications by mail is Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 4:30 pm. All ballots returned to the County Clerk's Office by mail which are postmarked by midnight on March 14th are eligible to be counted as long as they are received no later than 14 days after the election.

A registered voter is entitled to Early Vote in person at the County Clerk's office until 4:30 P.M. on Monday, March 14th.

To request your Vote by-mail application, you need to verify your home address, or provide an address to which you would like to have your Vote By Mail ballot mailed, if different from your residential address.

For additional information, call the County Clerk's Office at 815-432-6960.

Chatsworth man sentenced to 8 years for distribution of child porn

In federal court in Peoria, 56-year-old Daniel Craver was sentenced to an eight year prison term for distributing child pornography. Craver will also have to remain on supervised release for 10 years after serving his time. The law also requires Craver to register as a sex offender.

Craver plead guilty last October. The FBI learned a computer found in Craver's residence was used to download and share files containing child pornography.

Potomac man indicted by federal grand jury

A 28-year-old Potomac man faces indictment for allegedly possessing a weapon and the precursors needed for methamphetamine production. Jesse Harper could be looking at 10 years in prison. A federal indictment was handed down in Urbana last week.

Harper allegedly had a .45-caliber handgun and pseudoephedrine while having reasonable cause to believe it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. He's also a felon so he can't be in possession of a weapon or ammunitition.

The case was investigated by the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Vermilion County sheriff's office, and the Danville Police Department.

Paxton accident critically injures pedestrian

A 55-year-old Paxton man was hospitalized over the weekend after being hit by a car Friday night in Paxton. Robert Knell was walking northbound on U.S. 45 near Pine Street when he was hit by a northbound car.

Knell was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.Police said Knell was to be cited for being a pedestrian under the influence of alcohol and improper walking on the road.